Machine for making printing-plates.



N. MEYERS.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES.

APPLICATION r1120 OCT. 24, 1911.

1,147,335. Patented July 20, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

r r111 51 m COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO.,WASHINGTON. D. c.

N.- MEYERS.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PRINTING PLATES.

Patented July 20, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, 1911- wiimesJes COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH co..wAsmNu'roN. l5. q.

N. MEYERS.

- I MACHINE FOR MAKING PRIN TING. PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24. 1911.

' Patented July 20, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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Em r 53g I I P? COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0.,WA.SHINGTON, n. c.

N. MEYERS.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PRiNTlNfi PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 24, I911. 1,147,335. Patented July 20,1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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rnvirnn s'rn'rns Parana orr ion.

NICHOLAS EYEns, or BUFFALO, new Yo'mnnssienon rofrnrne (1,;MEYERS, or

BUFFALO, new YORK. 1 x

MACHINE FOR MAKING PRINTING-PLATES.

Specification of Lettersr'atent. Patented J {11y 20,1915.

Application filed October 24, 1911.v Serial No. 656,420.

To all whom it may concern I Be it known that I, NICHOLAS MEYERS, a citizen of the United ,States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful 1m provements in Machines for Making Print ing-Plates, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to a machinefor producing relief printing plates.

Heretofore relief printing surfaces have been produced either by assembling a plu-. rality of individual types each of which car ried a single type character, or by assembling a line of matrices and forming thercfrom a printing bar containing a number of words such as the linotype now in common use, and such printing surfaces have also been produced by casting them in a papier mach mold which was obtained by taking an impression of the assembled individual types. a

In the present invention a printing plate is produced by forming the letters in relief thereon successively similar to the manner of producing a letter in a typewriting ma;

chine, whereby the printing plate is ready for usein a printing press immediately after the composition of the matter to be printed has been'stamped on the printing plate.

It is the object of this invention to provide a machine for producing such plates expeditiously, conveniently and economia cally. a

In the accompanying drawings consisting of 1 sheets: Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a printing plate making machine embodying my invention, the section being taken in line 11, Fig. 8. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section taken in line 2 2, Fig. 9, showing the spring drum for drawing the printing plate sup-' port backwardly after the completion of a line of impressions thereon. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section taken in line 33, Fig. 1, looking forwardly and showing the clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the working parts of the machine and the driving device. Fig. at is afragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken in line ll:, Fig. 8, and showing part of the mechanism whereby spaces are produced in the type lines of the plate. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing parts of the above mentioned 0 11 9. 1 Inechanism. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, showing one of the matrices for producing the relief printing plate, the section being takenin line 6-6, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of one of said matrices and adjacent parts. Figs. 8 and 9 are horizontal sections of the machine in line 8-8. and 9-9, Fig. 1, re spectivelyi Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section takenin. line 10.]10,

Fig.- 8. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side 'ele vation of the printing plate support and the means whereby the same is fed from one line to another of its printing face. Fig.12

is a fragmentary plan view Ofth stop plate.

cessive parts of its surface or face to the stamping point where one or the other of a plurality of different matrices are adapted to produce an impression .on; the face of the printing plate so that when. the desired lII1-' pressions have been produced on the printing plate the same may be used directly in a printing press for producing impressions thereof in the ordinarymanne'r-of printing or this printing plate may be used asa master printing plate for producing. e'lectrotype copies for producing printing instead of using the master plate.

Although the particular form of blank from which the printingplate is constructed may be variedto suit the particular form" of printing press in which the same is to be subsequently used, the "same, as represented in the drawings, comprises a rectangular sheet like body 1 which is provided on its upper side or face with a plurality of parallel transverse ribs or corrugations 2 which are separated from each other by intervene ing grooves or channels 3,.the upper side of each rib'being flat. This blank is adapted to be arranged horizontally in the machine with its ribs facingupwardly and arranged transversely and the sameis adapted to be moved step by step transverselyinthe'machine for presenting successive parts or spaces of each line to the stamping position for producing different type characters on the rib or line, and the plate is also adapted to be moved step by step lengthwise in the machine for bringing successive ribs or lines to the stamping position for producing successive type lines on the same. Any suitable means may be provided for supporting the type or printing plate to permit of such presentation of the same to the stamping position and producing the type impressions on the same. The means shown for this purpose in the drawings are preferred and con structed as follows: i represents the horizontal flat body of a primary carriage upon the upper side of which the type plate rests by means of its flat underside so that the type plate is uniformly supported throughout its entire area. The type plate is held in place upon the body of the carriage by means of two longitudinal rails or flanges 55, 5 which are arranged at opposite longitudinal edges of the carriage body and which have their opposing sides undercut or grooved for receiving the longitudinal edges of the type plate in the manner of a dovetail joint. The type plate is engaged with these guide flanges or rails by sliding the plate rearwardly and lengthwise over the body of the carriage so that the opposite longitudinal edges of the type plate engage with the undercut grooves of the flanges 5, 5. The rearward movement of the type plate on the carriage body is limited by means of a transverse flange or stop 6 which projects upwardly from the carriage body at the rear edge thereof and which is engaged by the rear edge of the type plate. The latter is held in position on the carriage body with its rear edge in engagement with the stop flange of the body by means of a clamping screw 7 engaging centrally with the front edge of the type plate body. This clamping screw works in a threaded opening formed in the upper end of a vertically and transversely swinging swivel bar or block 8 which is pivoted at its lower .end by means of a longitudinal pin on the front end of the carriage body. When sliding the type plate on or off the carriage body the swivel bar is turned downwardly so that the clamping screw 7 is below the path of the plate but when the plate is in position on the carriage body the swivel bar is swung upwardly so as to bring the clamping screw in line with the plate and permit the same to bear against the front edge thereof. In this manner the clamping device may be permanently mounted on the primary carriage where it is conveniently available for holding the type plate in place and still may be shifted out of the way when it is not required for use.

On its underside and at opposite longitudinal edges the primary carriage body is provided with a plurality of supporting rollers or wheels 9 forming with said body the primary feed carriage of the mechanism whereby the printing plate is presented to the type stamping mechanism. The wheels or rollers 9 run upon a pair of longitudinal rails 10 which form a longitudinal guideway for the primary carriage, these rails being preferably round in cross section and the wheels of the primary carriage grooved circumferentially so that as they engage the longitudinal rails or tracks 10 these rollers or wheels are free to run lengthwise over the longitudinal tracks but are held against transverse displacement thereon. The longitudinal rails 10 are mounted on a secondary plate supporting carriage which preferably comprises an open work or skeleton frame 11 provided with rollers or wheels 12 which run upon a pair of horizontal transverse tracks or rails 13 arranged on the front and rear part of a base 14% which constitutes part of the main frame of the machine. The secondary rails 13 are preferably flat and the faces of the carriage rollers 12 engaging therewith are also of corresponding form, as shown in Fi gs. 1 and 9. For the purpose of holding the secondary carriage against longitudinal movement a guide device is provided which preferably comprises a horizontal bar 15 secured transversely to the central part of the frame base and having its opposite longitudinal edges constructed to form parallel guide faces which are engaged by a plurality of guide rollers 16 mounted on the underside of the secondary carriage by means of vertical pivots, as shown in Figs. 1 and 9. It will thus be apparent that by this manner of mounting the type plate the same can be moved both transversely and lengthwise in the machine whereby any part of the upper surface of this plate may be presented to the stamping position for receiving a type impression there at. This stamping mechanism is so con structed as to permit of producing type characters on the ribs thereof representing words, punctuation marks and also blank spaces between the several words so that the finished type plate can be used for printing in the same manner as type forms which are built up either of individual types, linotypes or any of the other well known methods heretofore in use.

The mechanism for thus producing type faces on the printing plate is preferably constructed as follows: 17 represents a plurality of character matrix slides or carriers which are arranged in a segmental row in the front part of the machine above the path of the printing plate carriages and each of which is slidable radially with reference to the stamping position of machine which is located centrally in the same. The several character slides may be guided in any suitable manner but preferably by means of a segmental lower guide plate 18 secured to the adjacent stationary parts of the machine above the path of the printing plate carriages and provided on its upper side with a plurality of radial grooves 19 which receive the character slides and anupper guide plate 20 also of segmental form secured to the upper-side of the guide plate for confining the character slides in the grooves 19, as shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 18.

At its inner end eachcharacter slide is provided with one or more character matrices or punches 21, the face of each being constructed to form a die which 'when pressed down upon the face of one of the ribs of the type plate will produce an im-. pression of this die on the type plate from which printing impressions on paper or other material may be subsequently produced by means of ink in the usual manner of printing. As shown in the drawings, three of such character punches are mounted on the inner end of each character slide, each of these punches facing downwardly and being provided with an enlarged lower part 22 and an upper contracted guide shank 23 which is arranged in a pair of vertically alined guide openings 24: formed in the upper and lowerprongs 25, 26 of a fork at the inner end of the respective character slide. In the normal position of the character matrices the same are in an elevated position so that the dies or impression surfaces on their undersides are above the level. of the surfaces of the ribs on the type plate, each character matrix being yieldingly held in this position by means of a spring 27 surrounding the shank thereof and interposed between the lower fork. of the respective character slide and a pin or shoulder 28 on the matrix shank. The upward movement of the matrix is limited by means of the shoulder 29 formed between the enlarged lower part of the matrix and the shank thereof and engaging with the underside of the lower fork 26, as shown in Fig. 6.

Means are provided for shifting each character slide from its outer or inoperative position inwardly to its operative position for bringing one or another of itsmatrices in line witlrthe stamping position preparatory to producing a type impression on the type plate. The preferred means for accomplishing this purpose which are shown in the drawings are constructed as follows: 30 represents a plurality of character key levers which are arranged parallel with each other above guide plates 18, 20 and character slides lengthwise of the machine. At their rear ends these character key levers are pivoted to swing vertically on a bracket 31 mounted on the rear part of a frame and at their front ends the same are provided with finger pieces ,32 upon which are indicated the particular characters of which a type impression may be produced on the type plate upon depressingone or another of these keys. Motion is transmitted from each of these character key levers to one of the character slides for moving the latter inwardly upon depressing the companion key, this being preferably effected by means of an elbow lever 33 pivoted to swing vertically on a post 34 rising from the upper guide plate 20 and provided on its upper arm with anantifriction roller which engages with a shoe 35 on the underside of the companion character key, and a link 36 connecting the lower arm of the elbow lever with a lug 37 projecting upwardly from the front end of the companion character slider When a character key lever is released the same is raised into its inoperative position by aspring 38 which connects the lower arm of the respective elbow lever with the pivot post which movement of the elbow lever is transmitted to the adjacent character key lever for raising the same and also to the companion character slide for moving the latter into its outerinoperative position. Means are provided for arresting the inward movement of the character slides at different points so as .to permit of automatically, alining one or the other of the plu- "rality of matrices on each character slide with the stamping position. Suitable means for this purpose comprise a segmental stop plate 39 which is capable of moving concentrically relatively to the stamping position and which is provided with a plurality of sets of stops or shoulders one set for each character slide. These several sets of stop shoulders are preferably arranged on. the outer side of the stop plate and the shoulders of each set are preferably arranged step fashion, asshown in Figs. 8 and 12. At its front end each character slide is provided with a depending tappet or lug 10 which is adapted to engage with one or the other of the shoulders of the set corresponding to this particular character slide. Inasmuch as the character slides shown in the draw ings are provided with three matrices arranged radially in a row each set of stop shoulders comprises an inner, outer and intermediate shoulder 41, 42, 43, these'several shoulders being spacedapart the same distance as the distance between the corre sponding three matrices on each character slide. Upon shifting the stop plate so that the innermost stop shoulder 41 is brought into the path of the tappet 4-0 the depression of the corresponding key lever will cause the companion character slide to move inwardly until the tappet engages with the innermost stop shoulder, whereby the outermost matrix of the set will be brought to the stamping position. Upon shifting the stop plate so that the intermediate step shoulder of the set is brought into the path of the tappet the inward movement of the slide will be arrested during the depression ofthe key lever by engagement of the tappet 1-0 with the intermediate stop shoulder 4-52 and thereby bring the central or intermediate character matrix to the stamping position. If the stop is shifted so as to bring the outermost stop shoulder d3 of the set into the path of the tappet the character slide will be arrested when moved inwardly by the key by the corresponding tappet engaging with the outermost shoulder of the corresponding set of stop shoulders and thereby bring the innermost matrix of the corresponding set to the stamping position. It is therefore possible to produce a plurality of different impressions of type characters on the type plate by means of a single rev lever by merely shifting the stop plate in accordance with the particular characters which are desired. it will be noted that this capacity resembles that of an ordinary typewriter in which different characters can be produced by the depression of a single ke The preferred means for movably supporting the stop plate which are shown in the drawings consist in engaging the stop plate with the underside of the lower guide plate 18 and slidably securing the same thereto for concentric oscillation by means of a lurality of guide screws 4 each of which is secured to the lower guide plate and passes through a curved concentric slot 45 in the stop plate, as shown in Figs. 1 and 12.

For convenience in setting the stop plate according to the particular characters which it is desired to impress or stamp upon the type plate, the stop plate is provided with an outwardly projecting handle e6 which is preferably arranged on the right hand side of the machine and which is provided with a pointer 49 adapted to traverse a scale 48 on the adjacent stationary part of the machine. the graduations of the scale corresponding to the positions of the corresponding shoulders of the several sets of stop shoulders.

In order to produce a blank space between words or other type characters on the type plate at which no impression should occur on the printed sheet means are provided for simply smashing down, flattening or reducing the height of the type plate at the desired places, so that these parts of the type plate are below the level of the printing surface on the same. The preferred means for this purpose which are shown in the drawings are constructed as follows: 50 represents a blanking matrix which in its operative or retracted position is arranged in rear of the stamping position and which may be moved forwardly into line with the stamping position. This blanking matrix is mounted on the front end of a horizontal bar or carrier 51 and is provided with a flat race on its underside. At its rear end the carrying bar is pivoted for vertical oscillation to the lower end of a vertically swinging lower rock arm 52. Upon moving this rock arm forwardly the blanking matrix will be brought to the stamping position and upon moving this upright rock arm back wardly this matrix will be moved into its inoperative position.

Normally the bar 51 which carries the blanking die is elevated so that the face of the blanking matrix clears the surface of the type plate this matrix bar being yieldingly held in this raised position by means of a spring 53 interposed between the lower rock arm 52 and the matrix bar 51 and the upward movement of the latter relatively to the lower rock arm being limited by engage ment of this matrix bar with a shoulder 54: on the lower rock arm, as shown in Fig. 1. The forward movement of the blanking matrix into its operative position is effected by means which comprise a space or blank key 55 pivoted on a stationary part of the machine, preferably at the left hand side thereof, a horizontal rock shaft 56 journaled transversely in suitable bearings on the rear part of the machine and connected with the upper end of the lower rock arm, 52, and an upper intermediate rock arm 57 connected with the rock shaft and connected by a pin 58 and slot 59 with the rear arm of the blank key, as shown in Figs. a and 8. Upon depressing the front arm of the blank key the rock shaft 56 and associated parts are operated so as to bring the blanking matrix vertically in line with the stamping position while upon releasing the blank key these parts will be returned to their inoperative position by means of a spring 60 which is preferably secured at one end to the main frame and bears at its other end against the front arm of the blank key, as shown in Fig. 1-. The forward movement of the blank matrix is arrested when the same reaches the stamping position by means of a stop 61 which is engaged by the lower rock arm 52 and the rearward movement of the same is arrested by means of a stop 62 which is also engaged by said rock arm, these stops being preferably arranged on the adi acent part of the main frame, as shown in Fig. 1 although any other suihble means may be provided for this purpose.

It will now be apparent that by depressing the proper key and setting the stop plate in the desired position any of the matrices corresponding to the several key levers may be brought to the stamping position and that when these keys are released the several matrices will be withdrawn from the stamping position.

Means are provided for depressing each of the matrices afterthe same has reached the stamping position so as to produce an im-.

pressionof the respective matrix on the face of the type or printing plate. The means for thus depressing the matrices which are preferred and shown in the drawings are constructed as follows: 63 represents a vertically reciprocating hammer or plunger which is arranged vertically in line with the stamping position and mounted on the lower end of a vertically reciprocating slide 64 guided in ways 65. The latter are arranged on an upper cross bar 66 of the main frame which is connected with the base by two standards 67, 67. A reciprocating movement is imparted to this slide by means of a pitman or connecting rod 68 which connects this slide with the crank pin or wrist 69 of a crank disk 70. The latter is mounted on the front end of a driving shaft 71 which is journaled horizontally and lengthwise in a bearing 72 on the central part of the upper cross bar 66. While the matrices are being moved toward and from the stamping position the plunger or hammer is elevated, as shown in Fig. 1, but when a matrix is at the end of its inward or forward movement in line with the stamping position the driving shaft effects the first half of one rotation so that the hammer or plunger is caused to de-- scend and engage the upper end of the respective matrix stem or shank and push the faceofthe matrix downwardly against the face of the type plate, thereby producing an impression of the respective matrix on said plate. During the second half of thisrota tion of the shaft the hammer or plunger recedes from the matrix so that the latter is elevated from the type plate this being effected in the case of a character matrix by means of its spring 27 while in the case of the blank matrix this is effected by means of the spring 53 which connects the blank matrix bar 51 with the lower rock arm 52. For

the purpose of enabling the extent of the im-v pression of the matrix on the type plateto be adjusted tosuit different requirements and also to take up wear the position of the hammer or plunger on the slide 64 may be adjusted, this being effected, for instance, by mounting the hammer or plunger on the lower end of a screw threaded shank 73 which engages with a threaded opening in the lower end of its slide. By screwing this stern up or down in the plunger slide the plunger may be adjusted accurately to the desired position and after adjustment the same may be held in place by a clamping nut 74 applied to the threaded shank and engaging with the lower end of the plunger the machine to be obtained. Thepreferredi means for this purpose arev constructed as follows: 5 represents a driving Wheel which is mounted loosely on therear end ofthe' driving shaft and which rotates constantly. When no key lever is depressed this driving wheel is disconnected from the driving shaft:

and rotates idly independent thereof but when a key lever is depressed this wheel is coupled with the driving shaft for causinga working stroke of the plunger. Anyfsuit able form of clutch may be employed for i connecting and disconnecting the driving wheel and shaft that shown in the drawings being well known and in common use-and comprising a collar 76 secured to the driving shaft in front of the driving wheeland provided with a guideway 77 arranged parallel.

to the axis of the shaft, a couplingdog, pawl or latch 78 sliding in said guide way and adapted to move the nose 7 9 at its rear end into and out of engagement with one, or the other of a plurality of shoulders 80 on the front end ofthe hub of the driving wheel and provided at its front end with a laterally projecting finger 81, a spring 82 tending to move the coupling latch rearwardly into the path of the coupling shoulders of the I driving wheel, and a vertically swinging coupling said wheel and shaft.

When the wedge 83 is withdrawn from the" path of the latch finger, as shown in Fig. 3,

the latch couples thedriving wheel andlthe' driving shaft and a stroke of the plunger is 7 obtained but when this Wedge is raised into the path of the latch finger, as shown in Fig. 5, the latch iswithdrawn from the path of the shoulders of the driving wheel and the movement of the plunger is arrested.

The retracting movement of the wedge is preferably produced by means of a vertical pull-rod 84 which is connected with the wedge at its upper end and drawn down+ wardly when it is desired to couple the drivlng Wheel and shaft. Upon releasing the pull rod the same is raised by a spring 85 7 together With the wedge sothat the latter operates to disconnectthe driving wheel and shaft.

For the purpose of enabling the driving wheel and shaft to be coupled upon depressing any one of the keys a universal yoke is provided comprising a transverse bar 8693-. tending underneath the front parts of all of the key levers, longitudinal arms 87 connected at their front ends with said cross bar.

and pivoted at their rear ends on the main frame to swing vertically, and a cross piece 88 connecting the longitudinal arms in front of their pivots and connected centrally with the lower end of the pull rod 8 1, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. It will now be Obvious that the depression of any one of the key levers for bringing a matrix to the stamping position will also cause the pull rod to be drawn downwardly and release the coupling latch so that the plunger will be operatively connected with the driving wheel, the movement of these parts being so timed that the plunger will descend and engage with the upper end of the shank of the active matrix immediately after said matrix reaches the stamping position. Upon releasing the depressed key lever the universal releasing yoke will be raised into its inoperative position by the spring which returns the clutch wedge to the position in which it disconnects the driving wheel from the driving shaft, said spring preferably surrounding the pull rod and engaging at one end with a shoulder 89 on the pull rod and at its other end with a stationary bracket 90 in which the pull rod is guided.

In order to firmly support the type plate immediately below the stamping position and enable the matrices which are depressed by the plunger to produce perfect and uniform impressions of the faces of the matrices on the type plate, a support or anvil is provided for the primary carriage which is preferably constructed so as to be capable of accurate adjustment relatively to the underside of the body of the primary carriage. In itspreferred form this anvil comprises a head 91 having a flat upper side which is arranged so close to the under flat side of the primary carriage body as to practically engage the same and which is provided with a depending screw threaded shank 92 which works in a screw threaded opening 98 formed in the central. part of the transverse guide bar 15 on the base, as shown in Figs. 1 and 1.0. As the plunger descends and drives one of the matrices against the upper surface of the type plate the latter and the body of the primary carriage supporting the same are held against downward deflection by the anvil which supports this plate and body immediately below the stamping position, thereby insuring a clean cut impression of the matrix and a uniform impression of all the matrices which are depressed. By turning the anvil the screw connection of the same with the cross bar 15 enables the same to be accurately adjusted with reference to the body of the primary carriage for properly supporting the type plate to receive the thrust of the matrices when depressed by the plunger. After the anvil is adjusted to the desired position the same is held there preferably by means of a clamping nut 91 arranged on the screw threaded shank of the anvil and engaging with the upper side of the cross bar 15.

If desired, the operation of the primary and secondary carriages which together constitute the support for feeding the type plate transversely and lengthwise of the stamping position may be effected by hand for bringing the difierent parts of the surface of the type plate within range of the stamping mechanism at the stamping position. It is preferable, however, to effect the transverse movement of the printing plate automatically step by step as the stamping of the letters, characters or spaces in one line progresses and to shift the plate lengthwise by hand for bringing successive lines to the stamping position, these operations being similar to the carriage feed of an ordinary typewriter.

The preferred means for effecting automatically the step by step movement of the type plate transversely in the machine for stamping successive parts of a line are constructed as follows: 95 represents a horizontal rack or ratchet bar or feed bar arranged transversely on the left hand side of the primary and secondary carriages above the central cross bar 15 of the frame and connected at its inner end with the left hand side of the secondary carriage frame while its outer end is provided with a handle 96 for manipulating the same when necessary. On its upper side this ratchet bar is provided with a row of ratchet teeth 97 each tooth having an abrupt outer side or face and an inclined inner side or face. 98 represents an upright feed rock lever pivoted on the outer side of the left hand standard of the frame so as to swing vertically and transversely of the machine. On the lower arm of this lever and above the ratchet bar 95 is pivoted an actuating or feed pawl 99 the latter projecting inwardly from this lever and engaging with the teeth on the upper side of the ratchet bar. Above the feed or actuating pawl is arranged a detent pawl 100 which is pivoted at its outer end on the standard of the frame so as to swing vertically and engages with the teeth of the ratchet bar in. front of said actuating pawl. 101 represents a trip lever pivoted on the upper cross bar of the frame and having its lower arm arranged in the path of a tappet 102 on the plunger slide while its upper arm is connected with the upper arm of the feed rock lever by means of a connecting rod 103, as shown in Fig. 10. As the plunger slide descends for producing an impression of a matrix on the type plate the tappet on this slide engages with the lower arm of the trip lever and turns the same in the direction for causing the feed or actuating pawl 99 to move backward idly from one tooth of the ratchet bar to the next outward tooth without disturbing the position of the latter and associated parts to be moved in a reverse direction by a spring 104 so that the actuating pawl is advanced or moved inwardly one step or tooth and the type plate is shifted the distance of one type space transversely in the machine and presents a new portion of a line or rib to the stamping position. The spring 10 1 is preferably mounted upon the connecting rod 103 and interposed between a shoulder or collar 105 on this rod and a bracket 106 on the main frame in which the rod is guided. The retracting or rearward movement of the actuating pawl is controlled by the tappet of the plunger slide but the forward movement of the actuating pawl is limited to one step at a time by means of a stop device which preferably consists of a collar or shoulder 107 arranged on the connecting rod and adapted to bear against the inner side of the bracket 106 when t the actuating pawl reaches the end of a forward or inward stroke which is equivalent to one tooth of the ratchet bar or one space of the type line on the printing plate. As the'ratchet' bar 95 is moved forwardly and inwardly by the actuating pawl the detent pawl is lifted by the next following tooth of the ratchet bar and engages with the abruptshoulder of the same so as to hold the ratchet bar against outward or backward movement during the next following outward or idle stroke of the actuating pawl. The detent pawl is held in engagement with the ratchet bar not only by gravity but also by the spring 108 of a releasing device whereby the actuating and detent pawls are disengaged from the ratchet bar when it is desired to move the carriages backwardly relatively to the width of the type plate for beginning a new line, for making corrections or for other purposes. This releasing device, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, preferably comprises a horizontal lever 109 pivoted on the lower arm of the feedlever 98, an upright link 110 connecting the inner arm of the releasing lever with the free end of the actuating pawl and the spring 108 connecting the outer arm of the releasing lever with the adjacent part of the main frame. Upon turning the releasing lever in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 10 the actuating pawl is lifted out of engagement from the ratchet bar and as the actuating pawl projects underneaththe detent pawl, the latter is raised thereby from the ratchet bar, whereby the supporting carriages on the type plate may be freely moved backwardlv for beginning a new line. This backward movement of the carriages toward the left of the machine maybe eff'ect'ed'by hand but this is preferably accomplished by means of a spring device whichis constructed as follows: 111 represents a hollow drum pivoted horizontally on a fixed pivot or arbor 112 which is mounted lengthwise on the left hand side of'the frame. Upon the periphery of this drum is'arranged a strap belt, cord or other flexible member 113 which is secured thereto at one end while its opposite end is connected with the transversely movable secondary carriage. Within the hollow drum is arranged a volute spring 114 one end of the same being secured to thestationary arbor while theother endis secured to the inner side of the drum";

The arrangement and construction of this spring drum, the flexible member and the,

spring is such that when the type plate, carriages are moved forwardly crosswise of the machine the flexible member is unwound from the drum and the spring within the drum is wound up and strained. Upon releasing the detent and actuating pawls 100 99 from theratchet bar the resilience of the spring 11 1- turns the drum in the reverse direction, causing the flexible band to be wound up on the drum and the printing plate carriages to be moved backwardly transversely.

forwardly and it is therefore necessary to make the spring 104 sufficiently stronger than the spring in the drum to accomplish this purpose.

The hand operated mechanism for effecting the forward feed of the primary.car-' It will be noted that the winding up or straining of the spring in the drum is effected by the power of the spring 104 which moves the actuating pawl tudinal feed or ratchet bar which is secured I lengthwise to the right hand side ofthe primary carriage and provided on its upper edge with a longitudinal row of ratchet teeth 116, each tooth having abrupt faces on its opposite sides. lever of I-form pivoted on a bracket 118 risingfrom the secondary carriage and pro vided with a feed pawl 119 which is pivoted thereto and which engages with the teeth of the longitudinal feed rack. This feed lever is turned so that its front end is normally in an elevated position and the feed pawl 1-19 retracted by means of a spring 120 secured to the bracket 118 and engaging with this lever in front of its pivot, as shown in Fig. 11. The actuating or feed pawl is also yieldingly held in engagement with the feed rack bar by means of a spring 121 secured to the feed lever and bearing against this feed pawl. Upon depressing the front end of the feed lever 117 its pawl by engaging with a tooth of the longitudinal feed rack pushes the primary carriage for- 117 represents a feed wardly one space, the extent of this movement being limited by a stop 122 arranged on the bracket 118 in position to be engaged by the longitudinal feed lever 117. Upon releasing the longitudinal lever the spring 120 returns the same to its initial position ready for the next forward feeding step of the primary carriage. The distance between the ratchet teeth of the longitudinal feed bar is equal to the distance between the lines or ribs of the type plate and these teeth harmonize with these lines so that upon depressing the longitudinal feed lever the type plate will be shifted from one line to another relatively to the clamping position.

Above the longitudinal feed pawl is arranged a detent pawl 123 which is pivoted at its rear end on a bracket 124i rising from the secondary carriage while its front end engages with the teeth of the longitudinal feed rack in front of the longitudinal feed pawl. This detent pawl is yieldingly held in engagement with the longitudinal feed rack by means of a spring 125 which is preferably secured to the bracket 124: and engages with the upper side of the detent pawl, as shown in Fig. 11. Whenever the longitudinal feed pawl advances the primary carriage one step or space the longitudinal detent pawl is lifted by the tooth in front of the same and is caused to engage with the front side of this tooth, thereby holding the primary carriage in place and preventing the same from moving backwardly with the longitudinal feed pawl during the return movement thereof. When it is desired to move the primary carriage forwardly toward the front of the machine after the stamping of the type plate has been completed, or for other purposes, both the longitudinal feed pawl and the companion detent pawl are released from the longitudinal feed rack to permit of such movement of the primary carriage. This is preferably effected by a releasing lever 126 arranged lengthwise adjacent to the outer side of the longitudinal feed lever and pivoted to turn vertically on a bracket 12? secured to the secondary carriage. The front arm of the releasing lever serves as a handle and its rear arm projects laterally underneath the longitudinal feed pawl. Upon depressing the front arm of the releasing lever its rear arm lifts the longitudinal feed pawl from the longitudinal rack and the longitudinal feed pawl in turn lifts the companion detent pawl from the teeth of this rack, thereby liberating the primary carriage and permitting the same to be moved forward freely to the front of the machine for convenience in removing the finished type plate therefrom and substituting a new blank plate in its stead.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that this machine permits of producing type plates economically, and as rapidly, or nearly so, as it is possible to write a letter on a typewriting machine and that this plate after being thus impressed with type letters, characters or designs can be immediately thereafter used for printing a large number of letters therefrom by means of an ordinary printing press. The machine is therefore particularly desirable when the element of time and expense is an important consideration, as for instance in the case of issuing stock reports, trade quotations, or other bulletins conveying information which should be transmitted to a large number of persons with the least possible delay.

I claim as my invention:

1. A machine for making printing plates comprising means for stamping printing characters on a plate, a primary carriage supporting said plate and movable lengthwise in the machine relative to the stamping position, a secondary carriage movable transversely in the machine relatively to said stamping position and provided with tracks on which the primary carriage travels, a main frame provided with tracks on which said secondary carriage travels, a horizontal guide bar arranged centrally on the main frame, and rollers arranged on the central part of the secondary carriage and engaging with. opposite side edges of said guide bar.

2. A machine for making printing plates comprising means for supporting a blank plate, and means for stamping printing types on said plate comprising a plurality of slides each of which is movable toward and from the stamping position and provided at its inner end with a guide, a matrix having an enlarged lower end and a narrow upper end forming an upwardly facing shoulder on the matrix, said enlarged part of the matrix being provided at its lower end with a die face, said narrow part engaging with said guide and said shoulder being adapted to engage with the underside of said slide, and a spring for holding the matrix yieldingly in an elevated position.

8. A machine for making printing plates comprising means for supporting a blank plate, and means for stamping the surface of said plate comprising a matrix movable toward and from the stamping position, a bar carrying said matrix, a vertical lower rock arm to which said bar is pivoted, a rock shaft carrying said lower rock arm, a horizontal upper rock arm connected with the rock shaft, and a key lever operatively connected with said upper rock arm.

4:. A machine for making printing plates comprising means for supporting a blank plate, and means for stamping the surface of said plate comprising a matrix movable toward and from the stamping position, a

bar carrying said matrix, a vertical lower rock arm which has a shoulder and to which said bar is pivoted, a spring for yieldingly holding said bar in an elevated position against said shoulder on said lower arm, a rock shaft carrying said lower rock arm, a horizontal upper rock arm connected with the rock shaft, and a key lever operatively connected with said upper rock arm.

5. A machine for making printing plates comprising means for supporting a blank plate, means for stamping type surfaces on said plate comprising a plurality of slides movable radially toward and from the stamping position in the front part of the machine and each carrying a type forming matrix, and a bar movable towardand from the stamping position in the rear part of the machine and carrying a blank forming matrix.

6. A machine for making printing plates comprising a carriage having a body adapted to support the blank plate to'be stamped with type characters, a matrix adapted to be impressed on the surface of the plate, a

plunger adapted to drive the matrix against said plate, an anvil adapted to support said carriage body in line with the stamping position and comprising a flat head arranged carry a blank plate, a matrix adapted to A stamp a type character on said plate, a plunger adapted to impress said matrix on said plate, a slide carrying said plunger, and means for automatically shifting said plate support bymotion derived from said slide, a rack bar connected with said plate support, a feed lever provided with a feed pawl for preventing backward movement of said rack, a trip lever connected with said feed lever and adapted to be moved for retracting said feed pawl, and a spring operating to advance said feed pawl.

Witness my hand this 21st day of October, 1911.

NICHOLAS MEYERS.

Witnesses:

E. M. GRAHAM, ANNA Hmoxs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

engaging with said rack bar, a detent pawl 

